What motivated me to drive out to the labyrinth of highways that is Long Island were the Brothers Way and their band My Chemical Romance. I have liked this band for about 2 years now, and this is the first time I have seen them live. Like a Johnny-Come-Lately, I bought the album around the time "Ghost of You" came out. Normally I jump right up a band on tour's ass upon the realization I am a big fan, but I was reluctant to go see them live back then. Every time I saw them on TV, Gerard pretty much...sucked. He was always screaming off-key rather than singing and basically failing to re-produce the quality of vocals that were on the CD. But after seeing them play on the webcast of KROQ's Almost Acoustic Christmas 2006, I decided to give them a chance. I am so glad I did.
I got to Nassau Coliseum a little bit after showtime. I wanted to see openers Rise Against, but didn't feel the need to be present for their entire set. I ended up getting there in time to see the last 3 or 4 songs. I don't know the titles, but they were your typical edgy pop-punk band. They were pretty decent. Most of the audience showed up for their set and gave them a great response, so I guess they were a good choice for an opener.
MCR took the stage at about 9:15. As they began playing opening song "The End" from behind the giant black curtain, a roadie wheeled out a hospital bed with a body covered from head to foot in a white blanket. Surprise everybody! The body turns out to be Gerard, who popped up to sing while the screams of the mostly teenage audience deafen the parents that brought them.
They played the entire album from front to back which was pretty cool. What I never picked up on through the few interviews I read or saw on TV was that the Black Parade is really an alter ego they go by for this album. So when Gerard made some comment about how the last time they toured was in 1812 (or some such year), I had no idea what he was talking about.
For me, the highlights of the set were "Sleep" and "Mama." The only complaint I have was that they stopped "Mama" in the middle of the song to lecture the pit about picking people up when they fall down. While I'm glad MCR is concerned for their fans' well being, I was annoyed that they interrupted the momentum of my favorite song. The band also broke character to take time out to sing "Happy Birthday" to the Ways' Father who was in the audience that night.
After they finished "Famous Last Words", they had a small intermission and came back as My Chemical Romance. Now dressed in rock star street clothes instead of their Black Parade gear, they belted out a bunch of songs off their last CD "Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge" that I've played to death. I was particularly psyched to hear "You Know What They Do to Guys Like Us In Prison" and "Helena."
As far as Gerard's voice, I was satisfied with what I heard. Of course I've been duped before- Angels and Airwaves always sounds perfect to me live and then the minute I see them on TV, I marvel at just how far off key Tom Delonge really can sing. But no matter. I had a great time and couldn't tell if Gerard was blowing the vocals or not.
The only thing that freaked me out about this show was that the parents seemed to know the music well enough to sing along. I didn't really know what to make of that. I guess MCR has mass appeal and I will just leave it at that.
EDIT:
People posted video of Mama where he stops the song in case you're interested:
http://www.buzznet.com/tags/mama/video/188915/
